Oklahoma troopers pull over truck driver illegally present in U.S. with no CDL, find 20 pounds of meth

A truck driver faces charges after an Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) trooper located a duffel bag containing drugs on his semi truck.

On On March 17, 2026, Jose Carlos Morales-Gutierrez, 31, was charged with possession of 500 grams or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Oklahoma.

Officials said that on March 11, 2026, an OHP trooper pulled over a red semi truck with an attached trailer in Custer County, Oklahoma.

The truck’s driver, Morales-Gutierrez, did not have a valid driver’s license.

During the traffic stop, a canine unit alerted to the commercial vehicle.

A subsequent search uncovered a duffel bag containing more than 20 pounds of methamphetamine, authorities said.

Officials say that Morales-Gutierrez is a Mexican national who is present in the U.S. illegally.

Morales-Gutierrez faces up to life in federal prison and a fine of up to $10,000,000 if he is found guilty.

Investigating agencies include OHP and the FBI Oklahoma City Field Office.